GPS recommendations

[aussiestilgar]

Hi,

I'm looking for a good GPS for my girlfriend whos constantly getting lost. My budget is around $250-350, and I just want something with decent features and good quality. I've heard that the Garmin Nuvi line is very good, and my gf has tried it and likes it but thought the "look" was a bit plain.

I want the GPS to have these features at least:
Text to speech
Lots of POIs
Upgradeability/Updates

Don't mind too much about multimedia or bluetooth, although the fm-to-car-speaker sounds pretty cool. It seems the Navteq based units are the way to go for the US, and I found the Navigon 5100 has some great features for the price. Especially the traffic.

What do you think?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar
Hi,

I'm looking for a good GPS for my girlfriend whos constantly getting lost. My budget is around $250-350, and I just want something with decent features and good quality. I've heard that the Garmin Nuvi line is very good, and my gf has tried it and likes it but thought the "look" was a bit plain.

I want the GPS to have these features at least:
Text to speech
Lots of POIs
Upgradeability/Updates

Don't mind too much about multimedia or bluetooth, although the fm-to-car-speaker sounds pretty cool. It seems the Navteq based units are the way to go for the US, and I found the Navigon 5100 has some great features for the price. Especially the traffic.

What do you think?

Nuvi 260 MTK chip should be the best for entry level gps right now.
Navigon has routing engine issue, even though, it also use Navteq.

I would throw your the link of my review and comparison between Nuvi or TomTom, and even show you inside photos and battery size of each of them. I can even give rough figure of signal accuracy and signal acquisition timing.

But!!!!! This is NOT exactly a "tech" things when buying anything for your gf.
It is the matter of "what she likes".

 

[aussiestilgar]

Thanks for the info TimeKeeper. A few more questions come to mind. What exactly makes the 260 better than the rest? And what separates the entry level systems from the mid level systems? My gf is pretty tech savvy so I'm quite happy to research this thoroughly.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar
Thanks for the info TimeKeeper. A few more questions come to mind. What exactly makes the 260 better than the rest? And what separates the entry level systems from the mid level systems? My gf is pretty tech savvy so I'm quite happy to research this thoroughly.

Here is the criteria when I am doing my GPS review.

1. screen display.
2. POI
3. routing engine.
4. TTS ( clearity, loudness, choice, and effecitiveness)
5. Battery life.
6. Signal accuracy
7. Signal strength (cold / warm start)

Generally, following questions are what I'd expect a buyer to know before asking me for recommendation though...

1. price?
2. location? (NA or Europe? Major city/ suburb)
3. If NA, do you need both U.S. and Canada?
4. screen size (portability)
5. Battery power ( how long it last per single charge)
6. TTS (text to speech)
7. POI data
8. % usesage in Car / Foot
9. Mutli-via point (trip planning)
10. BT
11. TMC
12. Multimedia
13. Customization ( ul/down, interaction w/ other mapping software or services)

 

[aussiestilgar]

I haven't had much experience with GPS so I appreciate the help.

1. price? up to $400 max
2. location? NA, cities/suburbs (west coast and east coast)
3. If NA, do you need both U.S. and Canada? Only need US
4. screen size (portability) as long as its sleek, then an average size around 4" seems nice
5. Battery life as long as possible
6. TTS a must
7. POI data lots
8. % usesage in Car / Foot 80%+ in car
9. Mutli-via point (trip planning) nice but not necessary
10. BT don't care
11. TMC traffic? would like it but not willing to pay subscription
12. Multimedia don't care, although I like fm-to-car-speaker
13. Customization nice but not necessary

Also, do any GPS have Australian maps for download?

Edit: I thought I'd mention i read your previous thread so you don't have to repeat anything.

 

[aussiestilgar]

LOL this Pink Nuvi 200 would be perfect, if it was a 260... Really want that TTS.

Is the 260w out yet?

 

[onlyCOpunk]

You just have to download Australian maps. Certainly they do as every cabbie here has a GPS, lol. It's just if you buy a GPS in the States it's going to come with NA maps, buy one in Aussie and it will have Australian maps. The rest can be downloaded, and most use some form of removable media like SD cards in which to update.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar
LOL this Pink Nuvi 200 would be perfect, if it was a 260... Really want that TTS.

Is the 260w out yet?

Yes! Still on SirF III, not the MTK.
GPS SW is on 3.0s (which is same as 7xx series)
However, it is on same old version firmware as 2xxW version.
NO QuickFix II for 260W Yet.

 

[aussiestilgar]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
You just have to download Australian maps. Certainly they do as every cabbie here has a GPS, lol. It's just if you buy a GPS in the States it's going to come with NA maps, buy one in Aussie and it will have Australian maps. The rest can be downloaded, and most use some form of removable media like SD cards in which to update.

Ah ok, sounds good.

 

[aussiestilgar]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar
LOL this Pink Nuvi 200 would be perfect, if it was a 260... Really want that TTS.

Is the 260w out yet?

Yes! Still on SirF III, not the MTK.
GPS SW is on 3.0s (which is same as 7xx series)
However, it is on same old version firmware as 2xxW version.
NO QuickFix II for 260W Yet.

Actually, if the 260w is $399, and the 750 is $378 - and the 750 more features... why would anyone get the 260w?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar
LOL this Pink Nuvi 200 would be perfect, if it was a 260... Really want that TTS.

Is the 260w out yet?

Yes! Still on SirF III, not the MTK.
GPS SW is on 3.0s (which is same as 7xx series)
However, it is on same old version firmware as 2xxW version.
NO QuickFix II for 260W Yet.

Actually, if the 260w is $399, and the 750 is $378 - and the 750 more features... why would anyone get the 260w?

260W is only around $300 and 750 is little buggy.

 

[aussiestilgar]

So you'd recommend a 260 or 260w over anything else unless you need extra features?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: aussiestilgar
So you'd recommend a 260 or 260w over anything else unless you need extra features?

I wouldn't recommend 260W.

I don't find 4.3" provde any better info than regular 3.5", especially, you already have TTS or GPS w/ great voice prompt.

http://www.gpsreview.net/forum...r=asc&highlight=screen


and there are two varient of Nuvi 260.
I will take MTK chip

http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4061

 

[aussiestilgar]

Ok, thanks very much for your help.

 

[NetGuySC]

I just picked up the Nuvi 750 for $294.84 shipped from hsn.com Hopefully it will not be too buggy

If anyone is interested I hear that they will have this deal again at 12 noon et on 2-16

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: NetGuySC
I just picked up the Nuvi 750 for $294.84 shipped from hsn.com Hopefully it will not be too buggy

If anyone is interested I hear that they will have this deal again at 12 noon et on 2-16

thanks for the heads up.

1. power up your 750 and get the signal lock for the first time.
2. Upgrade your firmware to 2.6
3. Shut it off and QuickFix II requires 24 hours to be effective.

 

[NetGuySC]

Thanks Timekeeper,

I updated the 750 and am happy with it thus far.

My only gripe is that it sometimes list street names as highway numbers, example instead of Spruce street, it lists Sc-S-21-1249. But If I want it to direct me to 123 Spruce street it does.

Could you post your web site name. I have looked thru your earlier post and can't find it. I sounds like a good gps review site from what i have read so far in your posts.

 

[agentbad]

Get a new girlfriend using that money for the first couple of dates and make sure she is good with directions right when you start dating.

 

[Semidevil]

TimeKeeper(or anyone else), can you reccomend me one? Im in the same boat, but on a tighter budget:

1. price? under $175 USD

2. location? (NA or Europe? Major city/ suburb) NA, oklahoma and surrounding areas

3. If NA, do you need both U.S. and Canada? no CAnada

4. screen size (portability) doesn't matter, whatever the norm is. atleast3.5 inch?

5. Battery power ( how long it last per single charge) I wll keep it charged with the car charger at all times.

6. TTS (text to speech) yes

7. POI data not a priority

8. % usesage in Car / Foot 100% on car

9. Mutli-via point (trip planning) not a priority

10. BT not a priority

11. TMC what is TMC? not a priority

12. Multimedia not a priority

13. Customization ( ul/down, interaction w/ other mapping software or services) not a priority

you can probably see my other thread about the navigon, which looks really good(with the 3D stuff), but I want to get other options.

thanks

 

[TimeKeeper]

For less than $170, TTS, 3.5"
I will get Magellan 3225 from Costco for $150.

Mio C230 is another choice, except I am not big fan of iGo, nor TeleAtlas in the U.S.
I never test Navigon before, so I can't comment on it.
Other than that, you might be able to get a Garmin C340. (put it is kinda huge)

p.s. Garmin NT Navigator version 2009 will release late April. So if you are shopping for Garmin, you want something that is from certified retailer. (so you can get a upgrade)